Committee on Children and Youth Affairs to hear from new Chair of Tusla

The Joint Committee on Children and Youth Affairs will meet tomorrow (Wednesday) at 10 am in Committee Room 1, Leinster House when the Chairperson Designate of Tusla – the Child and Family Agency, Mr. Pat Rabbitte, attends.

Mr. Rabbitte will outline a number of immediate priorities that he would like to progress, and will answer questions from the Committee Members, as the agency strives to raise its standards regarding the protection of children.

The Agency is tasked with improving services for vulnerable children and families throughout the country, and very demanding and sensitive work goes on in child protection every week. At the meeting, Mr. Rabbitte will discuss several key issues that impact on young people and families.

In advance of the meeting, the Chairman of the Joint Committee, Deputy Alan Farrell, said: “As we are aware, deficiencies in the Agency have been highlighted in recent years and it is undeniable that challenges continue to exist.”

Deputy Farrell concluded: “We must work to ensure our children and young people are protected to the best extent possible. This will be the utmost priority for all members of the Committee. Mr Rabbitte brings to the role considerable experience from his working life in public service of one kind or another stretching back over 30 years.”

Mr Rabbitte served as Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources from 2011 to 2014, and Minister of State for Commerce, Science and Technology from 1994 to 1997. As a member of Cabinet from 2011 to 2014 serving as Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources he held responsibility for key State, commercial and utility companies and major employers including the ESB, Eirgrid, Bord Gais and Bord na Mona.

Committee proceedings can be viewed live here: https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/oireachtas-tv/cr1-live/

Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the move, through the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for Apple and Android devices